Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-08-17
A RAIN OF BULLETS.

To keep up the supply OF ammunltlon
pack-mules were brought into use, each
animal carrying 1900 rounds, says writer
in the Century, describing the light at the
"bloody angle'' at the battle of Spottsylva:.
mia. The boxes were dropped close behind
the troops engaged, where they were
quickly opened by the officers or tile-clos-
ers, who served ami mGunition to the men.
The writer fired over 400 rounds OF ammu-
milton, and many others as many more.
In this manner rapid fire was maintain
ed, to which the enemy replied with vigor
for awhile. f.
Finding that we were not to be driven
back, the Confederates began to use more
discretion, exposing themselves but little,
using the loop-holes in their works to fire
through, and at times placing the muzzles
of their rifles on the top logs, seizing the
trigger and small of the stock ,and elevat-
ing the breech with one hand sufficiently
to reach us. During the day one OF our
batteries took position behind US sending
shell after shell close over our heads to ex-
plode inside the Confederate works. In
like manner Coehorn mortars 800 yards In
our rear sent their shells with admirable
precision gracefully curving over US.
Sometimes the enemy's fire would slacken,
and the moments would become so monot-
onous that something had to be done to
stir them up. Then some resolute fellow
would seize a fencerail or piece of abatis,
and, creeping close to the breastwork,
thrust it over among the enemy, and then
drop on the ground to avoid the volley
that was sure to follow. A daring lieuten-
ant in one of our left companies leaped up
on the breastWorks, took q rifle that was
handed to him, and discharged it among
the foe. In like manner he discharged
another, and was in the act Of firing third
shot when his cap flew up in the air and
his body pitched headlong among the ene-
my.
On several occasions squads of disheart-
ened Confederaies raised pieces of shelter
tents above the works as flag OF truce;
upon our Stacking fire and calling to them
to come in they would Immediately jump
the breastworks and surrender. One party
of 20 or 80 thus signified their willingness
to submit, but owing to the fact that their
comrades occasionally took advantage OF
the cessation to get volley into us, it was
some before we concluded 10 give them
chance. With levelled pieces we called
to them to come in. Springing upon the
breastworks in body they stood for an
instant panic stricken at the terrible array
before them; that momentary delay was
the signal fOr thelr lrQeSLrucGlOn. Wnae VIC
with our fingers pressing the triggers
shouted to them to jump, their troops
massed in the rear poured volley into
them, killing or wounding all but q iew
whS unde1 RpeG oa eee sh While a ss se 'G instantly be- e.
gan firing.
The battle, which during the morning
RACED with more or less violence on the
right and left of this position, gradually
slackened, and attention was concentrated
upon the angle. So continuous and heavy
was our fire that the head logs Of the breast
work were cut and torn until they resem-
bled hickory brooms. Several large oak
trees, which grew just in the rear Of the
works, were completely gnawed off by our
converging fire, and about o'clock in the
day fell among the enemy with loud
crash.